12 Ways to Know When You Are Ready to Consider Competing

I know that I got interested in competing in 2012 because I started seeing it become more prominent on social media. That brings up a good topic: When is someone really ready to compete? It varies with each person, but there are some good filters to know if this is or is not something for you.

I competed for two years in the Figure division and have recently made the switch to Bikini. Now in my third season of competing, I want to give my two cents in case this thought has crossed your mind. What you see online or maybe in the audience at a show is a very, very small snippet of the incredibly difficult process, and it certainly is not for everyone. It easily gets glamorized and honestly it’s not something to take lightly. This sport and process is truly only for about 2-5% of the population, if that. It’s extreme and very taxing on the mind and body.

Bikini Open Class E; September 2015

-12 Ways to Know When You are Ready to Consider Competing-

A weekly picture report in to my Coach, Brooke Erickson.

1. You have lifted weights consistently for AT LEAST one full year, if not longer, 3-5x a week. More years under the iron is even better for muscle maturity. This is about showing intention under the bar, building muscle, not about being trim or highlighting a before and after transformation.

2.You are at an ideal body weight when you have a show date on the calendar. I will never promote using the goal of a bodybuilding show to get you to be motivated to lose weight. Weight loss and redoing your habits are step one and then growing muscle to compete is an entirely different process. If you are 20 pounds or more overweight, focus on resetting your habits and losing the weight first slowly and safely, all while lifting weights to change your body composition. Then when you hit in the range of a healthy weight for your body, switch gears towards a competition-focused muscle building, eventual fat loss plan to get ready to head into contest prep towards a show date. If you think you need a show date on the calendar to get you to lose the weight and stay motivated, you’re simply not ready for change. Do it for the right reasons. You can be a bodybuilder or weight lifter WITHOUT being a competitor. Chase the process!

#346, Bikini Open, 35+, 40+

3. You can consistently track and measure your foods daily for at least 6 months to a year WITHOUT feeling burdened by it. This is a HUGE part of the process. HUGE! If you lose momentum after 2 weeks or feel you need to take the weekends “off”, scratch the plan to compete.

4. You can drink at least a gallon of water a day. Water drinking is a big part of muscle building and eventually fat loss.

5. You can stick to a 7 to 10-food plan for many weeks. Early on you can eat IIFYM (if it fits your macros) with more flexibility or maybe you prefer a set meal plan, but honestly as you get closer to the stage, you’ll be eating a narrower choice of foods that won’t be so fun. You’ll have to go without or on very low intake on the alcohol, sugar, and treat foods for 6-12-18 weeks, generally speaking and varying from person to person. Is this restriction okay with you?

6. You are ok being up on stage with lights on your body with strips of clothing on….in heels, in front of 300+ people! If you like this for the hair, tan, jewelry, and make-up aspect, just go get that done. Don’t sign up to compete to get a nice, pretty shot!

Figure division; NPC Indy Classic; June 7, 2014; 2nd/16

7. You are ready and able to dedicate 10-20 hours a week to your fitness. I’ve watched this closely in my use of time and that is what it takes me. Between training, driving to lift, tracking foods, food prep, water filling, supplement assorting, posing practice, and research of the sport, it takes lots of my time each week. I should say, I GIVE it lots of time each week. That is my choice of where I put my time for my hobby, and that is okay because we all give our time to something, don’t we? Are you ready to allot it as one of your priorities in your day? It’s not something that is on/off with your efforts where you take breaks from the lifestyle on the weekends. It has to be something you consistently MAKE time for!

8. You are one of the fittest people in your circle, family, or gym. People approach you to ask if you’re a trainer, where you workout, or what you have done “to get fit”. Do you stand out in a crowd of having put the time in in the gym and kitchen? If not, keep working your plan. This is an extreme sport and it gets extreme results, but it’s not for everyone. You already need to stick out as a fit person before considering a competition.

9. You have the funds to drop. Spray tan: $120. Hair and Make-up: $100. Shoes: $40. Bikini suits: $200 or Figure suits: $400, entry level. Of course you can rent them for half the cost. Shows are $100-$150 for an entry fee by the time you sign up for a few categories. Your annual NPC card (if that is who you compete with) is $120. To get my family of six in to watch my recent show, $75, prejudging only, NO finals for them! Then add in the higher quality food cost, if you choose to get a Coach, gym costs, and more. It is not cheap. {Do I really want to add up what I’ve spent on this?!}

10. You are willing to follow someone’s lead. I did not have a Coach my first season, but I had an experienced Personal Trainer who had competed before that really mentored me. Additionally, I followed a plan I bought online that was for competitors, so I did it somewhat guided. However, I HIGHLY advise spending the money to have someone Coach you through the process. You don’t know what you don’t know. You CAN do damage to your system and metabolism from going about this the incorrect way and solo. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve also seen it happen WITH a Coach, so do your homework before you hire someone. Coaching costs for year-round services (which is what I suggest) can be upwards of $1500+, minimum. You do get what you pay for in this industry, so be willing to hire someone who knows what they are doing. I’ll happily talk to gals considering Bikini or Figure competing if they need Coaching!

11. You’re physically cleared and mentally capable of handling the highs and lows. You need to have a clean bill of health to withstand the intensity of the workouts and lower amounts of food. Additionally, you’ll want to be mentally solid when it comes to enduring a slow process. Can you handle doing all that training and prep and placing dead last {I did just that my first show!} If you’re setting out to “sweep the show”, your motives are incorrect and you should just stop right now. That is not in your control.

Can you handle getting negative feedback from the judges? Can you cope with watching your family enjoy treats at a party when you’re two weeks out from the stage? Can you have confidence in your abilities? Are you able to slowly rebuild your diet after you’ve been in prep for 12+ weeks? This is one of the hardest parts and gets me every time! These are all very real parts to the process and your mindset needs to be in the correct spot before you even begin!

11. You’ve been to a show to see if really does interest you. One of the best choices I made before committing to compete was attending three local shows as a spectator. When I went, I COULD see myself up there and I knew I wanted to pursue it further. I took it in, met people in the industry, and asked questions. This was all new to me and I had a lot to learn….and I still do. It’s a process and I embrace it daily! Do your due diligence to study it first before you make the investment in the process.

Been caught training glutes….the crazy band lady at the gym!

12. You LOVE to train. Do it for the right reasons. You need to enjoy the process of training slowly over time, and getting on stage is just a small, small moment of time. Do it not for the prize, the attention or the lights. Do it because you love the process of challenging yourself and getting outside your comfort zone, seeing methodically what your body and mindset are capable of doing, time and time again.

If you read this list and realized competing is NOT for you, fret not. As I said, it is an extreme sport and not for everyone. The last thing I want is to guide someone into it who is not ready to begin. It’s okay to take time to lose the weight, weight train, and get to know your own body first. The shows will always be here. Don’t be in a rush to sign up. Your health and wellness always comes first.

If you read this and realized you may never be ready, that is completely common. You CAN be fit and in shape and healthy NOT competing. Many want to look like a competitor, but not go through the process. You can spend time tracking your foods, following a lifting regimen and enjoying your body’s response all while not ever setting foot on stage. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Don’t throw in the towel to your wellness goals just because you feel you’re not ready to compete. Choose to live that fit life and make the most of the mind and body you’ve been given even if you never do a show!

Hopefully that helped clear things up.

So, are you ready to compete? There is no rush. Prepare for is slowly and wisely. The shows will always be there for you when you’re ready!

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